FiA, UNIDO help fishery enterprises expand in Kingdom
FiA, UNIDO help fishery enterprises expand in Kingdom
Earnest efforts of the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have helped expand the fishery enterprises, marking a significant step toward improving food safety standards and quality in Cambodia.
A milestone was achieved with the support of the CAPFISH-Capture: Post-Harvest Fisheries Development (CAPFISH-Capture) project, funded by the EU and implemented by UNIDO in partnership with the FiA.
Secretary of State of MAFF Has Sareth Tuesday conducted an official visit to enterprises in Phnom Penh and Kandal Province accompanied by Chhoun Chamnan, Director of the Department of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ), Sok Narin, UNIDO Cambodia Representative, and 15 journalists from nine media outlets.
Sareth stated that the specific objectives of the visit are to highlight the success of the enterprises under the CAPFISH-Capture project, including equipment and technical support provided through the Cambodia Quality Seal (CQS) and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety standard.
“Additionally, the visit aims to showcase the linkages between enterprises and actors within the fishery value chain,” he said.
Chhoun Chamnan, Director of the Department of Fisheries Post-harvest Technologies and Quality Control (DFPTQ), noted that all enterprises under the CAPFISH project are making significant progress. “It is evident from this visit that the enterprises are performing well,” he said.
“This project has helped the participating enterprises improve the quality, safety, and hygiene of fishery products before supplying them to the market,” Chamnan added.
Sok Narin, UNIDO Cambodia Representative, explained that the CAPFISH-Capture project implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture through the EU-funded project and partly supported by UNIDO, aims to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the fishery products sector.
“Since 2019, we have supported 55 enterprises across the country, particularly in the Tonle Sap Incentive Zone. These enterprises have received extensive support, including knowledge enhancement, improvements to production facilities, and upgraded equipment at their production sites,” Narin said.
“We assist them in complying with quality and safety standards for their fishery products,” he added.
Ung Davy, owner of Leang Leng Enterprise, stated that Leang Leng is a leading fish sauce enterprise in Cambodia, having received ISO 22000 and ISO 9000 certifications in 2018 and 2015, respectively. While the company also earned HACCP certification, it has since expired.
She said that with technical and equipment support from the CAPFISH-Capture project, the enterprise has significantly improved the quality and safety of its products by adopting enhanced food safety and hygienic practices.
“Leang Leng has increased its sales by 20 percent and expanded its reach to additional provinces in Cambodia. The enterprise has formed partnerships with five new buyers, including international ones, and increased its workforce by 25 percent,” she said.
Key products of Leang Leng Enterprise include fish sauce, soy sauce, chilli sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and vinegar, with fish sauce accounting for 40 percent of the total production.
The enterprise produces and distributes certified fish sauce products that meet both local and international food safety standards. By 2035, it aims to capture approximately 65 percent of the local market share while ensuring a consistent supply of safe products, according to Davy.
“The company employs a team trained in food safety standards and collaborates with three exclusive distributors, 700 retailers, and 20 depots nationwide. Leang Leng aspires to introduce its products to international markets, including the EU,” Davy added.
Lep Mary, Managing Director of UNICA Enterprise, highlighted that UNICA’s main products are dried fish, fish paste, fillet fish, and smoked fish.
The target consumers of these fish products are residents in Phnom Penh, particularly premium customers living in high-end areas. According to Mary, the average monthly sales of processed fish total 600 kilograms.
The enterprise currently supplies its processed fish to 12 markets in Phnom Penh and plans to expand to eight additional markets in the future.
“Under the support of the CAPFISH-Capture project, the enterprise has improved its packaging capacity by installing automatic capping machines to streamline the production process, upgraded its packaging layout, and enhanced staff knowledge of food safety requirements,” Mary said.
